A DEPRESSED banker threw himself in front of a train and died just hours after being discharged from a psychiatric hospital.

Martin William Carr, 56, from Guildford, died from multiple injuries after being struck by a speeding train at Woking station, an inquest heard.

Mr Carr was discharged from The Priory Hospital in Knaphill, at 9.30am on Friday, December 5, but died just five hours later.

Surrey Coroner Michael Burgess returned an open verdict at Woking Coroner’s Court on Wednesday because Mr Carr’s intentions were unclear.

The banker was suffering from severe depression and had volunteered to receive treatment at the psychiatric hospital, the court heard. He had been a patient there for two weeks and was discharged because medical staff felt his condition had improved.

Upon entering the hospital in Chobham Road, Mr Carr was diagnosed with severe depression and obsessional doubting.

The inquest heard that Mr Carr was suicidal and had spoken of jumping in front of a train.

But Dr Timothy Cantopher, who treated Mr Carr, ruled his condition had improved from severe to mild shortly before his death.

Dr Cantopher conducted a “substantial” interview with Mr Carr on December 4, the day before his death, before making the decision to discharge him.

He said the possibility of Mr Carr feigning an improvement in health to be discharged was unlikely.

The inquest heard Mr Carr’s depression was worsened by two main factors.

He was anxious about his job security, mortgage and financial affairs due to the credit crunch.

He was also experiencing problems in his relationship with his partner. She was the last person to speak to Mr Carr, about 40 minutes before his death.

She told the inquest: “When I got through, he seemed very distant. I thought he had been asleep.

“I was asking him how he was feeling and tried to keep the conservation light. It was just a general chat.” However, she was unaware of any problems in her relationship with Mr Carr. She added: “I had no idea there were any problems. He never mentioned it to me.”

Rosemary Hornet, Mr Carr’s sister, collected him from hospital hours before his death and noticed nothing unusual.

She told the court: “We chatted for about an hour. As we parted, he hugged and kissed me and said that he loved me. It was completely normal.”